Another much-needed round of rain is expected for Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, the big Thanksgiving weekend travel day, and Black Friday, followed by nice and normal weather conditions for the rest of the extended holiday.

"A rather strong upper-level high-pressure ridge will move across the region the first part of the work week, but by Wednesday that ridge will have moved eastward allowing for a rather vigorous disturbance to move into our area from the Central Plains, bringing with it a good chance for rain Wednesday during the day, ending from the west Wednesday night," said Bobby Boyd, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Nashville.

Boyd said another disturbance moves into the area on Black Friday and it will also bring a chance for rain as many area residents travel about on their holiday shopping spree.

Rainfall amounts on Wednesday look to be around a half-inch, with about a quarter-inch or less expected on Friday.

Thanksgiving Day will be sandwiched between the rains and should be sunny and dry in the Midstate, forecasters say.

Temperature-wise, look for highs in the 50s on Wednesday with that good chance for rain, followed by highs Thanksgiving Day in the 50s with plenty of sunshine. Highs through the weekend are also expected to to be in the 50s.

Low temperatures will be in the lower 40s Wednesday night, followed by lows in the 30s Thursday night and continuing through the weekend.

Boyd noted that a large part of Middle Tennessee remains in a severe drought including Clarksville, Nashville and Murfreesboro, "but there are areas worse off.

"Southeastern Tennessee is in an exceptional drought while southern Middle Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau are in an extreme drought," he said, adding that any rain that does fall this holiday weekend is most welcome."

Clarksville, so far, is having its driest autumn season on record, followed by the fall seasons of 1953, 1904 and 1894.

Rainfall in Clarksville in September totaled 1.93 inches, which is 1.60 inches below normal. In October only 0.24-inch fell, which is 3.67 inches below normal. So far in November only 0.49-inch has fallen which is 2.14 inches below normal.

"Clarksville remains in a severe drought," Boyd said. "Clarksville had its fifth-driest October on record and so far November has been the driest on record."

Meanwhile Nashville is having its second-driest fall on record. The driest was back in 1953. Third-driest autumn season for the Music City was in 1904, followed by 1939 and 1924.

September rainfall in Nashville totaled 1.87 inches which is 1.54 inches below normal. October rainfall totaled only 0.43-inch which is 2.61 inches below normal.

"So far in November, Nashville has measured a measly 0.14-inch which is 2.38 inches below normal. Nashville had its tenth-driest October on record," Boyd said.